NCP discusses Congress' offer of more portfolios

The Nationalist Congress Party is discussing the Congress formula of more cabinet berths in lieu of the chief minister's post.

Published on: Oct 25, 2004, 16:31:00 IST

PTI | By Anonymous, New Delhi

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An end to the nine-day impasse over government formation in Maharashtra appeared to be in sight Monday as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) discussed the Congress formula of more cabinet berths in lieu of the chief minister's post.

"We are talking to all our MLAs and senior leaders about the formula suggested by the Congress party to end the stalemate in Maharashtra," NCP leader Tariq Anwar said.

He said that some legislators wanted to agree to the Congress formula and end the deadlock that has persisted since October 16 when the Congress-NCP combine won 139 seats - the Congress getting 68 and NCP 71 - in the 288-member assembly.

The Congress on Sunday offered three ministries and two additional portfolios from its share to its ally instead of the chief minister's post. In the previous government in Maharashtra, the Congress and the NCP held 19 ministries each.

"This is the first time that the Congress party has proposed a concrete proposal. We have to seek the reaction of our elected MLAs. Though we still maintain that the chief minister should be from our party, we are ready to discuss the formula," Anwar added.

NCP chief and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar also met his party colleagues on Monday to discuss the proposal.

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